Jambalaya

LSU Star “Men Who Cook”

Warren Morris, former Major League player and LSU star will be among the chef’s cooking for the fundraiser “Men Who Cook & Men Who Mix.” He will be part of the Red River Bank team.  Men Who Cook takes place Saturday, May 17 at the River Oaks Square Arts Center located on Main Street.  The cooking competiton showcases local chefs and cooking teams preparing a special dish.  Tip jars will be placed at their tables.  The team who receives the most tips wins the competition.  Tickets can be purchased at River Oaks Square Arts Center.

Food Drive Giveaway

The effort to feed the hungry is a continuous effort. An Alexandria business, Loewer Powersports on Colisuem Boulevard, and a radio station is taking on the challenge to gather non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. On Saturday, May 17 at Loewer Powersports a name will be drawn from those who gave to the food drive to announce the winner of a Honda Rancher.  For more information call (318) 487-9495.

Farm Service Agency

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices, according to the agency’s website. “These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of the agricultural industry and to help farmers adjust production to meet demand. Economically, the desired result of these programs is a steady price range for agricultural commodities for both farmers and consumers.”

Free Aces Game Tonight

It’s “Walmart Night” at Bringhurst Field tonight Wednesday, May 14. Everyone who attends tonight’s game of the Alexandria Aces vs. Harlingen WhiteWings will get free admission. Plus, Walmart will be selling raffle tickets as a Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser. The games kicks-off at 7:05pm.  Come enjoy and bring the entire family, Free!!!

“Crab Mornay” Appetizer

Chef Seth Guillotte, CC, CRCM is a competitor in the River Oaks Square Arts Center’s “Men Who Cook & Men Who Mix.” He prepared the appetizer Crab Mornay. 

The recipe for dish:

Red Onion
Green Onion
Shallots
Garlic
Butter
Olive Oil
Heavy Cream
Monterey Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded)
Lump crab meat
french Baguette Bread
parsley for garnish

Seasonings:
Old Bay Seasoning
Kosher Salt
cavenders

Saute - onion shallot, garlic in oil/butter.  Add crab.  After 2 minutes incorporate cream.  When it comes to a boil add cheese.  Season to taste.  Serve with slice baked Baguette bread.

Men Who Cook & Men Who Mix

Looking for a funfilled event that’s casual, helps ring in the Summer and allows for fun, music, and a little taste testing? River Oaks Square Arts Center is proud to announce its’ 8th Annual Men Who Cook & Men Who Mix at River Oaks sponsored by Regions Bank and FSC Securities. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 6:30- 9:30 p.m. on the River Oaks grounds. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased or reserved by calling River Oaks at 473-2670 or 487-8002. 

LIVESTRONG Cenla 2008

The Lance Armstrong Foundation presents LIVESTRONG Day Cenla 2008.  The event is (today) Wednesday, May 13 at Calvary Baptist Church Youth Center from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Lunch will be provided along with musical entertainment and guest speakers.

Carbon Credits Conference

The LSU AgCenter on May 14 is offering a conference on how to use carbon credits in marketing many agricultural commodities. The conference is expected to be used by farmers, foresters and landowners to market their crops. “A carbon credit is a permit that can be bought and sold in markets that give monetary value to one ton of carbon dioxide that is sequestered in a solid form such as plant biomass or soil organic matter,” according to an LSU AgCenter assistant professor.  For more information (318) 473-6589.

LIVESTRONG Cenla 2008

“LIVESTRONG Day Cenla 2008” arrives in Alexandria, Tuesday May 13 from 10am -3pm at the Calvary Baptist Church Youth Center.  The event theme is “Celebrating Cancer Survivorship and Making Cancer a National Priority.” LIVESTRONG Day is the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s one-day initiative to raise awareness and funds for the cancer fight.  This year LIVESTRONG is being supported by events across the U.S. on Tuesday.  For more information (318) 730-6221.

Household Hazardous Waste

The City of Alexandria is hosting a Household Hazardous Waster Collection Day, Saturday May 17 from 9am to 2pm. Last year, 19.2 tons of material was collected during the five hour event. Residents are being invited to drop-off their household hazardous products at the City Complex on Industrial Park Road, Saturday. For more information (318) 441-6251. A new item collected this year is expired prescription drugs.

RRMC Expansion Public Tour

Charla Ducote, the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development invites the community to a grand opening/ribbon cutting. The hospital will open to patients May 19. But the furniture, artwork and all the medical equipment is in place now. And the public can get a chance to get a good look before the patients move in. A community-wide Grand Opening is being held Tuesday, May 13 from 2-4 p.m. at the new main entrance on Medical Center Drive. Tours will be held every 15 minutes. 

$1.5 Million Technology Expansion

Chuck Butterfield, the Assistant Director of Information Services, tells us about RRMC new South Tower expansion included a $1.5 million budget for technology. According to RRMC, that’s 1/50th of the total expansion budget. Everything in the South Tower, from the 275 computer monitors to televisions, are flat-panel. Every computer monitor in the South Tower is equipped with PAX, a digital X-ray system that allows physicians to pull up a patient’s X-rays and other diagnostic images at any nurses’ station or in any patient room.